2015 Ford F-150 Might Debut in Detroit

By Jeff Youngs, December 19, 2012

Automotive News, an automotive industry trade journal, is reporting that Ford intends to offer a sneak peek of its redesigned 2015 F-150 at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, an unusual move so far in advance of the truck's arrival at dealerships nearly 2 years from now. Ford did not confirm the plan with Automotive News.The publication says that people familiar with the plan told Reuters that Ford is taking direct aim at the new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra by choosing to reveal details about the redesigned 2015 F-150 at the Detroit auto show. The new Silverado and Sierra were introduced on December 13, 2013. Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson called the new trucks from General Motors "evolutionary, not revolutionary."

Adam Jonas, a Morgan Stanley analyst, told Automotive News the Ford F-Series, which is the best-selling model in America for more than 30 years, accounts for about 90% of Ford's global profit. By contrast, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra account for approximately 60% of GM's global profit.

If the statements to Reuters are accurate, Ford will display a prototype version of the 2015 F-Series truck. To ensure that the F-Series remains the most popular pickup on the market, Automotive News says Ford wants to improve fuel economy by 15%-20% with the next-generation F-150, and intends to employ extensive use of aluminum in the truck's construction to save up to 750 pounds in the 2015 F-150.